Lako Lynn, 6, pets an alpaca at the Alpaca Run Farm booth on kickoff day 2024 of the Parkersburg Homecoming. (File Photo)

PARKERSBURG — The annual Parkersburg Homecoming starts Friday evening.

“It’s the 41st,” Bob Mercer, festival president, said.

The homecoming is three days of food, entertainment and events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

A big name in the entertainment line up will be Cletus T. Judd, a country music star, who will perform on Friday. The Johnny Staats Bluegrass Festival will be held Saturday.

The parade and fireworks show are Saturday afternoon and evening, respectively.

Lions Club’s volunteer Rachel Johnson, right, ties a balloon to the wrist of Emerson Elementary student Sylvia Roberts during the opening night of the 2024 Parkersburg Homecoming. (File Photo)

“Everyone is going to have a great time,” Mercer said.

Events will be held in the area of Point Park and the amphitheater, he said. A 14-foot rubber ducky where children can win prizes is not free, Mercer said.

“Everything is about the same footprint as last year,” Mercer said. “Just different characters.”

New attractions this year include a baton twirling performance and a show by Higher Passion Wrestling, semi-pro wrestlers from Parkersburg, on Saturday evening, Mercer said. The ring will be set up near the Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau by the floodwall, he said.

“That’s going to be very exciting,” Mercer said.

Cledus T. Judd will perform at the Parkersburg Homecoming at 8:30 p.m. Friday. (File Photo)

Numerous crafters and vendors will participate, he said.

The Homecoming Parade starts at 12:30 p.m. on Market Street from 19th Street. Lineup starts at 9 a.m. with the staging area in the Parkersburg High School back parking lot off 24th Street. Shrine floats will stage on Greasy Neal Drive and flat-bed floats and emergency response vehicles will line up on upper Market Street.

The theme of the 2025 parade is “Fun in the Sun.”

“Hopefully everyone will go with that,” Mercer said.

Friday is sponsored by Murray Sheet Metal and United Construction Co. Opening ceremonies will be held at 6 p.m.

Johnny Staats (File Photo)

The first concert will be a 50th anniversary show by Insured Sound, a local band. Judd takes the stage at 8:30 p.m.

Cledus T. Judd is the stage name for James Barry Poole, who is called the “Weird Al” Yankovic of country music.

“We’re going to see a very funny show,” Chuck Lipps, homecoming vice president and entertainment coordinator, said.

Judd, 60, took a break from performing, Lipps said.

“He got into radio for a year there,” Lipps said.

The Wayward Dancers perform in the 2024 Parkersburg Homecoming Parade. (File Photo)

Judd returned to Kentucky to raise his daughter, then started performing again about a year ago, said Lipps, who worked with Judd last month.

“He’ll have you laughing all night long,” Lipps said.

Kids Fest will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the CVB plaza, Mercer said.

On Saturday, sponsored by Grogg’s Home Services, the 23rd Annual Johnny Staats Bluegrass Festival begins at 4 p.m. with Appalachian Hollow, the Johnny Staats Project at 5:15 p.m. and Johnny Staats & the Delivery Boys at 6:30 p.m.

The Ohio Valley Opry from Belpre takes the stage at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday’s entertainment schedule includes a gospel sing at 2 p.m., sponsored by the Bible Baptist Church, and a performance by the 3M Acoustic Trio at 3:15 p.m.

“Next year we’re hoping for bigger and even better,” Mercer said.

Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.